News
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Cells’ Root: Adult stem cells have a master gene
Scientists have found a master gene that allows tissue-regenerating stem cells to retain their regenerative capacity.
- Astronomy
Stellar Spectacular: Brightest supernova
Astronomers have discovered the brightest stellar explosion ever observed, and it could be the first example of a rare type of supernova involving a freakishly massive star.
By Ron Cowen - Physics
Degrees of Quantumness: Shades of gray in particle-wave duality
Light can be made to act as if it's composed of particles, waves, or something in between.
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No Place Like Om: Meditation training puts oomph into attention
Intensive meditation training boosts a person's control over attention and expands a person's ability to notice rapidly presented items.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
Risk Factor: Throat cancer linked to virus spread by sex
Cancer of the throat and tonsils can arise from infection with a sexually transmitted virus.
By Nathan Seppa - Humans
Lethal injection is inhumane, say researchers
Prisoners killed by lethal injection may be conscious and experience pain and burning sensations while they asphyxiate.
By Brian Vastag - Animals
Sex—perhaps a good idea after all
A family of mites may be the first animal lineage shown to have abandoned sexual reproduction and then reevolved it millions of years later.
By Susan Milius - Health & Medicine
A smart pill for seniors?
A dietary supplement combo boosts older adults' performance on simple mental tests.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
This trick boosts cancer’s spread
A compound that helps keep cells organized and stitched into tissues may play a role in the survival of cancer cells that have seeded distant tissues in the body.
By Janet Raloff -
Cancer patients aided by yoga
In breast cancer patients, practicing yoga appears to reduce both depression and biochemical markers of inflammation.
By Janet Raloff -
Alzheimer’s marker yields blood test
Studies in mice suggest that it could be possible to screen blood for early, asymptomatic Alzheimer's disease.
By Janet Raloff - Earth
Not-So-Clear Alternative: In its air-quality effects, ethanol fuel is similar to gasoline
Switching the nation's vehicles from gasoline to ethanol may not reduce air pollution.